THE municipality of Manito, Albay, is set to experience enhanced power reliability and stimulate local economic growth following a significant infrastructure upgrade to the area’s power distribution system. The project, which involves converting to a three-phase line power system, is supported by a P29-million funding derived from the Energy Regulations (ER) 1-94 benefit that the municipality received for hosting Energy Development Corporation’s (EDC) 149-megawatt Palayan Bayan and Palayan binary geothermal plants in its BaconManito geothermal facility.
The electrification milestone, covering the power grid from barangays Cawayan to It-Ba, is a strategic investment to address Manito’s growing power demands. Upgrading to a threephase line infrastructure is essential for the municipality because it offers a significantly more stable, balanced and efficient energy supply than the previous configuration. By minimizing voltage fluctuations and power outages, the upgrade ensures that local businesses can operate their equipment reliably and households can utilize modern appliances with greater stability.
The enhancement serves as a critical foundation for modernizing public services, stimulating local economic activity and ensuring long-term community resilience.
The ER 1-94 program is a Department of Energy (DOE) policy intended to recompense for the contribution made by communities hosting energy generating facilities and/or energy resources. It grants financial benefits formerly equivalent to P0.01 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of the total electricity sales of the generation facility for its host local government units, regions and communities.
Effective January 2026, the DOE increased this total financial benefit to P0.03 per kWh of electricity generated and sold, allocated for community-driven programs such as livelihood development, environmental protection, health care, education and an additional option to reduce electricity prices.
The three-phase line infrastructure upgrade is part of EDC’s broader commitment to not only supply clean, reliable 24/7 renewable energy, but to also foster regenerative community development in areas where the company operates First Gen’s renewables portfolio.
“By enabling more reliable power infrastructure for Manito, we are not just providing 24/7 renewable energy; we continue to support the municipality’s economic potential and community resilience,” said Engr. Marcel Rosario, head of EDC’s Bac-Man geothermal facility
Albay governor Noel Rosal, Manito mayor Jerry Arizapa, Manito vice mayor Glicerio Solinap Jr., ALECO acting GM Engr. Wilfredo Bucsit, ALECO TSD manager Engr. Mark Jessan Lucilo and employees, First Gen’s EDC Bac-Man facility head Engr. Marcel Rosario together with Eduardo Jimenez and Ramon Parafina, and representatives from Interlink Power Corporation lead the groundbreaking ceremony for the three-phase line infrastructure upgrade
By Apa Feliciano
